Teacher Education Program
Application Materials
Elementary Application
Secondary Application
Major / Minor Verification (Secondary Ed. only)
Application Deadline:
Applications to begin professional studies courses for Fall Semester, 2009 will be accepted Monday, January 19-Friday, January 30.
Office hours for dropping off applications are:
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Applications must be submitted in-person and will not be accepted unless all materials listed below accompany the application. Any application received through the mail will immediately be returned to the applicant.
- A photo copy of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Basic Skills test results. A minimum score of 220 is required for passing in each area: reading, writing, and math. If you require a new copy of your results, contact NES, Inc. directly at www.mttc.nesinc.com.
- Official transcripts from all former institutions (submitted in a sealed envelope). An SVSU transcript is not required. The transcripts that are submitted with the application will become the property of the College of Education. If additional coursework has been taken at any institution since initial admission to the university, it will be the responsibility of the student to submit an updated copy of their official transcript to the SVSU Registrar's Office to obtain an updated transfer evaluation. Please do not forward transcripts ahead of application. Transcripts must be in a sealed envelope from the institution attended and submitted with your application.
- Letters of recommendation are no longer required. You will need to provide the name, title, phone number, email, and name of organization of three (3) individuals on your application who have agreed to be used as a reference for you. At least one reference should be from a full time or part time faculty member from a two or four year college/university. Other acceptable references could be from individuals that you have had interaction with through educational preparation in the last year (e.g., school administrators or teachers).
- Copy of current class schedule (can be obtained from Cardinal Direct).
- Students currently enrolled in a Introduction to Teaching course (equivalent to SVSU's TE 100) at another institution at the time of application, must submit evidence of current enrollment in the class.
- Students currently enrolled in a General Psychology course (equivalent to SVSU's PSYC 100) at another institution at the time of application, must submit evidence of current enrollment in the class.
- Secondary Education candidates who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree must submit the Major/Minor Verification form with their application.
Candidates will sign up for an interview when they turn in their application and supporting materials. In preparation for the interview, students should review the Teacher as Decision Maker Model.
A criminal background check will be completed on all students who submit an application to the SVSU College of Education Teacher Education Program. This process is required by the school districts (public and private) to allow students to participate in the fieldwork component of the program. Applicants will be provided with a release form for the criminal background check at the time they submit their application to the program. There will be no cost assessed to the student.
If you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or have any outstanding criminal charges or warrants pending against you in Michigan or any other state or jurisdiction, you will be required to submit court documents indicating the crime of which you were convicted, dates and sentences imposed with your application materials. If criminal charges are pending, you will be required to submit a statement from the issuing court indicating court date and offense.
Admission to the SVSU College of Education does not guarantee certification by the State of Michigan. The SVSU College of Education cannot guarantee approval of any recommendation made to the State of Michigan for any type of certification. Final approval of a recommendation made by SVSU is granted only by the Michigan Department of Education based on their policies and procedures current at the time the recommendation for certification is made. Any student who has been admitted to the SVSU College of Education Teacher Education Program is required to notify the Chair of the Teacher Education Program Admissions and Review Committee should the student be convicted of a crime in any state or jurisdiction after the initial background check is completed. Court documents indicating the crime of which a student is convicted, dates, and sentences imposed, and any information on pending criminal charges must be supplied by the student and will be reviewed by the Admissions and Review Committee. Based on a review of the conviction or pending criminal charges, the student may be subject to dismissal from the Teacher Education Program.